[Treatment] Newly diagnosed Sleep Apnea & low Testosterone

[HZone]

Hi,

Over the last year I've been feeling progressively tired and lacking energy and enthusiasm to do anything not absolutely essential. Eventually after presenting my GP with a report from a Pulse Oximeter of SPO2 levels while asleep he referred me to my local hospital for a sleep study. The sleep study was relatively simple, a night in one of their sleep study rooms with a pulse oximeter and sound/visual recordings. While on the night I didn't get much sleep and only recorded ~ 16 SPO2 desaturation events/hour, which I understand is around the minimum level that the NHS considers for CPAP treatment. However I also left them with home generated reports from the previous month that showed more regular values of 30-40 SPO2 desaturation events/hour, the consultant therefore made a diagnosis of OSA with instructions not to drive and inform the DVLA. i have another appointment on the 6th Jan which I believe/hope will start me on a home CPAP trial.

Other tests performed by my GP revealed low Testosterone levels, side effects of which can also be similar tired feeling and lack of energy, I've been referred to a specialist regarding this as well and have an appointment on the 4th Jan. While my GP wasn't aware of any link between OSA and testosterone levels I've now found several articles suggesting that there is a link.

The above article also suggests that treatments for testosterone deficiency can cause OSA to become worse and interfere with CPAP treatment and that levels often increase over time with CPAP treatment. While I'll be guided mainly by what the specialists have to say it would be reassuring/useful to hear experiences/advice from forum members.

Regards and thanks HZone.

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[Sleeprider]

If you need both CPAP therapy and HRT, just do it. While untreated sleep apnea can be made worse by use of testosterone in some men, I'm not aware of any study that suggests it affected apnea treated by CPAP. I was diagnosed with OSA in 2008, and low T in 2014. HRT therapy, testosterone cypionate by in injection at 80mg/wk s.c. did not affect already treated OSA, in fact it has become much improved among other things.

[HZone]

Thanks Sleeprider just the sort of feedback I was looking for.

Regards HZone

[Sleeprider]

One thought on this is if it appears you may simultaneously implement sleep apnea therapy and HRT, be sure to ask your sleep doctor for an auto machine. Not that I think it will actually make a big difference, any more than a cold, weight-gain or other health changes; but getting a fixed CPAP for a dynamic condition is silly. The only reason fixed CPAP exists is to increase supplier profits. [tying on my revolution headband]

[kwhenrykerr]

I will also suggest an Auto CPAP. I have made changes to my settings over time as conditions change. The auto machine reports have led to much improvement in my sleep.

Keep reading this forum and seeking information. A lot may not apply to you or you may think later that it does and do some more digging for what will help.

When I started my doctor would ask questions that I answered as I understood them. Later I would discover that my understanding was wrong. I had given the doctor bad information and going back to correct it was not easy once the wrong answer was in my file.

[trish6hundred]

Hi HZone,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you as you start your CPAP therapy.

[kwhenrykerr]

I should have added that I have low T and take injections. One of the effects is more red blood cells to carry oxygen. I hope this helps offset all the blood draws the docs want.

Good luck to you.